Tom Pidcock will return to racing at Yorkshire 2019 World Championships after serious crash

The road and cyclocross star crashed out of the Tour de l’Avenir but is back in time for the Worlds

Tom Pidcock (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tom Pidcock will make his return to racing at the Yorkshire 2019 World Championships after suffering a horrible crash last month.

The Brit fell while fighting for stage honours on day six of the Tour de l’Avenir under-23 race, suffering horrific injuries to his face in the fall.

>>> Yorkshire Road World Championships 2019: Elite men’s road race start list

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Pidcock, the reigning under-23 cyclocross world champion, will make his return to the peloton in Yorkshire, where he will contest the U23 road race on Friday, September 27.

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British Cycling’s senior academy men’s endurance coach, Keith Lambert, said: “I’m pleased to say Tom Pidcock has recovered well from his injuries and as such we have been able to select him for the road race.

“The under-23 squad have had mixed fortunes this season, with some terrific results but also some big crashes.

“What’s impressed me the most is that we have a strong group of under-23 road riders, either on the senior academy or on trade teams, and they always come together to work as a team and support each other when they’re riding in Great Britain colours.”

Pidcock, was part of a select group at the front of the race on the road to Privas during stage six of the Tour de l’Avenir, dubbed a ‘mini Tour de France’, when he went down in the final kilometre.

Footage of the crash shows that the rising road and cyclocross star was descending into a right-hand turn in awful weather conditions, his momentum carrying him towards the guard rail at the edge of the road.

Pidcock unclipped his foot in an attempt to avoid the rail, but went down and slid out of the view of the camera.

The 20-year-old was taken to hospital and forced to abandon the race, later posting a picture of his facial injuries on social media.

A photo posted by on

The other riders selected for the U23 road race at the Yorkshire Worlds include Fred Wright, who is currently riding as a stagiare with CCC Team, and Matt Walls, who recently finished second on stage five of the Tour of Britian, behind Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo-Visma).

In the U23 time trial, Britain will put up Ethan Vernon and Charlie Quarterman, who will be racing with Trek-Segafredo next season.

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Lambert added: “One of the highlights of the under-23 racing calendar is the Tour de Yorkshire and all the riders get a real boost from the support of the home crowd, who never disappoint. We are all looking forward to seeing our home roads once again lined with supporters, and I’m confident the riders we have selected will give them something to cheer about.”

Under-23 Great Britain Cycling Team for the Yorkshire 2019 World Championships

Time trial

Charlie Quarterman, 21, Oxford

Ethan Vernon, 19, Bedfordshire

Road race

Stuart Balfour, 22, Scottish Borders

Tom Pidcock, 20, Yorkshire

Jake Stewart, 19, Coventry

Matt Walls, 21, Lancashire

Fred Wright, 20, London

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Alex Ballinger

Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.  Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.